Aymeric Laporte has given the green light to a summer move to Barcelona, with the Catalan club ready to trigger the veteran defender’s relatively modest release clause, according to reports in Spain.
The Athletic Bilbao centre-back, who starred for Spain in their triumphant 2026 World Cup campaign, is understood to be keen on returning to La Liga’s elite at the age of 32 to bolster Barca’s back line.
Spanish media reported on Tuesday that Barcelona will not need to enter negotiations with Athletic, as Laporte’s contract contains a buyout clause set at just €15m (£12.7m) – a fee viewed inside the club as a rare market opportunity for a defender of his experience and pedigree.
World Cup form sparks Barcelona move
Laporte enjoyed a standout tournament with Spain at the 2026 World Cup, emerging as one of the anchors of a defence that helped deliver La Roja’s second global title.
His assured performances at the heart of the Spanish back four have reportedly been a key factor in convincing Barcelona’s hierarchy that he is the ideal candidate to reinforce a position that has been a concern in recent seasons, amid injuries and inconsistency in central defence.
Club sources cited in Catalan media say Barca moved quickly after the World Cup to explore the feasibility of a deal once they confirmed the value of Laporte’s release clause and his openness to a return to Spanish football.
Player ‘interested’ in Barca switch
Catalan broadcaster Esport3 reported that Laporte is “already interested” in joining Barcelona for the coming season, framing the defender as enthusiastic about the sporting project at the Olympic Stadium and a likely future return to the renovated Camp Nou.
The channel added that people close to Laporte have already conveyed his approval directly to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, signalling the player’s willingness to finalise the transfer during the current window.
واضافت ان المقربين من لابورت كشفوا لخوان لابورتا رييس برشلونة، موافقة اللاعب على الانضمام الى البلوجرانا هذا الصيف.
While no formal announcement has yet been made by either club, the combination of a relatively low buyout figure and the player’s apparent readiness to move is seen as bringing Barcelona significantly closer to securing his signature.
Strategic defensive reinforcement
If completed, Laporte’s arrival would provide Barcelona with an experienced, left-footed central defender who can also operate in build-up play – qualities highly valued by the club’s coaching staff.
At 32, he would be expected to offer immediate leadership and depth in a defence that has relied heavily on younger players, and to help guide the next generation in high-pressure domestic and European fixtures.
Barcelona are continuing to work within strict financial constraints, but a €15m outlay for a World Cup-winning, Spain international defender is being viewed in Spain as a calculated move to upgrade the squad without jeopardising the club’s efforts to balance the books.
Further developments are anticipated in the coming days, with Barcelona now thought to be focused on reaching agreement on personal terms and the structure of the defender’s contract before completing what could be one of the most notable defensive signings of their summer.
